(PICTURE)(PICTURE) (PICTURE)Europäis hes Patentamt
(1 9) (PICTURE) European Patent Offi_e
(PICTURE) Offi_e euroPéen des brevets (1 1 ) E _ O 529 9_ 5 B_
(1 2) EUROPEAN PATENT _PECl FICATlON
(45) Date of pUbliCation and mention (51 ) _nt C_.6_. _O6F 9J46
of the grant of the patent_.
1 O.O6.1998 Bulletin 1998l24
(21 ) Application number_. 923O7534.5
(PICTURE)(22) Date of filing_. 18.O8.1992
(54) Voi_e pro_essing interfa_e for a _omputer
Stimmverarbeitungsschnittstelle für einen Rechner
(PICTURE)(PICTURE)
lnterface de traitement de voix pour un ordinateur
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_ N w. h. . h f h b_. . f h . f h f h E .
_ Ote'_ It In nIne mOnt S rOm t e PU ICatIOn O t e mentIOn O t e 9rant O t e UrOPean Patent_ anY PerSOn maY 9IVe
o nOtiCe tO the EUrOpean Patent OffiCe Of OppOSitiOn tO the EUrOpean patent granted. NOtiCe Of OppOSitiOn Shall be filed in
ii a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art.
w (PICTURE)99(1 ) European Patent Convention). Printed by Jouve, 75OO1 PARIS (FR)
1 EP O 529 91 5 B1 2
Des_ription primed, each virtual machine within the host processor
goes into an ''idle'' state and awaits a user to request the
This invention relates to voice processing, and initiation of a session. Shorter also describes an algo-
more particularly, to a voice processing and response rithm for allocating virtual machines within the processor
unit for accessing a plurality of connected host proces- 5 to assume that sufficient primed applications are avail-
sors, each having one or more applications in a primed able for the anticipated level of requests.
state, ready to respond to an inquiy. In order for the Shorter system to function, modifi-
Voice-based processing systems respond to user- cations must be made to the software operating system
telephoned inquiries by providing an intelligible voice re- of the host processor to enable the establishment of the
sponse that provides requested information. Some 1O virtual machines. It is often desirable that a VPU operate
transactions which are now performed on voice-based in conjunction with a plurality of host processors which
processing systems are_. are not necessarily compatible at the operating system
Ievel. The Shorter system, in such an arrangement, re-
- The caller is requested to provide an account quires that each host processor's operating system be
number via the telephone keypad, at which point, 15 altered. This is not only an expensive proposition, but it
the processor employs the account number to find is often resisted by the owners of host processors for
an account balance and returns the balance to the fear that any change to the operating system will alter
caller; other unrelated functions running on the host.
In addition to being able to access multiple hosts, a
- The system provides a caller with information such 2O VPU should also be capable of handling multiple host
as current interest rate; sessions with different applications, in response to a sin-
gle phone call. Likewise, a VPU should be able to map,
- The system enters information from the caller into via avirtual session, an incoming inquiy to any available
a data base, such as the status of a sales order or host processor that contains a primed application capa-
a repair call_, 25 ble of responding to the incoming request. Prior a_ de-
scribing various virtual session and machine arrange-
- The system places outgoing calls, automatically, for ments can be found in the following U.S. Patents_.
service orders or appointments, using data from a 4,982,421 to Kirsch et al; 4,331 ,835 to Gueldner et al. ;
host computer. 5,O1 2,466 to Buhrke et al; and 4,742,447 to Duvall et al.
3O Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to pro-
Most voice-based processing systems employ an vide a voice processing interface system which enables
interface processor which includes a voice processing access to a plurality of host processors, without requir-
unit (VPU). A VPU replaces a human intermediary be- ing modification to the operating systems of those host
tween the telephone and a host processor. One such processors.
prior art VPU is the l BM 927O which communicates with 35 In accordance with the invention there is provided
its host processor through the vehicle of screen trans- a method for enabling rapid access from an interface
actions. In specific, when the VPU receives an inquiry processor to applications running on a plurality of host
from a user, its associated processor requests a processors as defined in claim 1 , each said host proc-
''screen'' of data from a connected host processor, which essor communicating with said interface processor by
screen includes the requested data. 4O providing screens to said interface processor, said
A screen is a pixel image prepared by application method performed by said interface processor and com-
software in the host processor in response to an inquiry. prising the steps of_.
The screen is supplied to the VPU and its associated
processor for the purpose of providing an answer in re- (a) establishing at least one virtual terminal session
sponse to the user's inquiy. 45 with each said host processor and initializing said
In order to speed up a host processor's responses applications running on said host processor to
to user initiated inquiries, the prior art has employed the ready them for further commands;
concept of ''priming'' applications running on a host proc- (b) responding to a user request that requires a
essor. In U. S. Patent 4,949,254 to Shorter, assigned to process to be performed by an application, by ac-
the same assignee as this application, a method is dis- 5O cessing a virtual terminal session with a host proc-
closed for allowing a host processor to establish within essor on which said application is running, entering
itself a number of virtual machines, each of which pos- user data in a stored screen from said application
sesses a ''primed'' application. Shorter positions a ''pool and transmitting said data to said host processor,
manager'' within the host computer which acts to start a whereby said host processor immediately process-
plurality of applications so that they are immediately 55 es said data_, and
ready when a request for access is received. This pro- (c) receiving a screen from said host processor con-
cedure avoids the log-in delays which occur when an taining data for said user, and transmitting said data
application is initialized. After the applications are to said user, whereby said interface processor en-
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3 EP O 529 91 5 B1 4
ables a plurality of host processors to rapidly re- Each telephone handset 1 2 is connected to a voice
spond to user-supplied data without requiring mod- processing unit 1 6 which is, in turn, coupled to a bus 1 8.
ification of host processor-controlling software. A central processing unit 2O also communicates with
bus 1 8 as does a ROM 22. A random access memoy
It is an other object of this invention to provide a 5 (RAM) 24 contains, among other data, a plurality of pro-
voice processing interface unit which enables a plurality gram modules which enable the operation of the inven-
of host sessions to be established in response to a sin- tion. These program modules include_. a session and ex-
gle telephone inquiry. ecutor control module; a voice processing unit control
There is further provided a voice processing inter- module (including a channel process submodule for
face processor according to claim 6, including control 1O each input telephone line); a script executor for each in-
software, for enabling rapid response to user telephone put telephone line; a session table that provides a com-
inquiries, said inquiries placed with an interface proces- plete updated status of a plurality of virtual terminal ses-
sor which, in turn, accesses applications running on a sions in effect between interface processor 1 O and host
plurality of connected host processors, each host proc- computers 1 4; and a virtual terminal emulation module.
essor communicating with said interface processor 15 The function of each of the modules will be considered
through provided screens, said interface processor in detail below.
comprising_. channel process means for interacting with One skilled in the art will realize that the block dia-
said user, receiving a said user input, and providing a gram of interface processor 1 O shown in Fig. 1 is sche-
voice response to said user; virtual terminal means for matic and shows the processor at its highest functional
establishing a plurality of vi_ual terminal sessions, at 2O level. lnterface processor 1 O, as indicated above, re-
Ieast one session with each said host processor, initial- quires multitasking capabilities. A processor capable of
izing an application on each said host processor, and performing the functionsfor interface processor 1 O is the
storing an initial screen from each said application; and IBM RISC System/6OOO.
executor means responsive to a user input from a said To enable an initial understanding of the invention,
channel process means, to operate over an available 25 its functions will be briefly described, followed by a de-
virtual terminal session and communicate with an initial- tailed description of each of the software modules and
ized application and to provide screen datathat includes theirfunctions. Initially, interface processor 1 O establish-
user data, to a said application, and for receiving a es through a host l/O control module 26, a plurality of
screen with user data from said application in response virtual terminal sessions with host processors 1 4. One
and to provide said user data to said channel process 3O or more virtual terminal sessions may be established
means, whereby said channel process means responds with each host processor. Each virtual terminal session
to said user with said user data. is initiated, and log-on procedures are accomplished
In order that the invention may be well understood, with the applications in each host processor. At that
a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described point, each application is in an ''idle'' state and awaits a
with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which_.- 35 next event.
Each host processor communicates with interface
Fig. 1 is a high level block diagram of a system em- processor 1 O via the transmission and reception of
bodying the invention; screens. In this manner, each host processor 1 4 sees
interface processor 1 O as a number of remote terminals
Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the various soft- 4O and interacts with it in such a manner. This enables each
ware modules that implement the invention; and host processor to function independently and no modi-
fications are required to their operating systems. Peri-
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a high level flow diagram that odically, interface processor 1 O may be required to per-
describes the operation of the invention. form a ''refresh'' action for each application if a timeout
45 period occurs and no inquiries have been received by
DETAI LED DESCRI PTION OF THE INVENTION the host to bring the idle application session into activity.
(PICTURE) Once the virtual sessions have been established,
Referring to Fig. 1 , a block diagram is shown of a interface processor 1 O awaits an inquiry. Upon receiving
system configured in accordance with the invention. In- a telephone inquiy from a user, voice processing unit
terface processor 1 O is a multitasking computer that is 5O 1 6 receives the inputted data from the user's telephone
adapted to act as an interface between a plurality of tel- keypad and passes it to CPU 2O where a number of de-
ephone handsets 1 2 and a plurality of host computers terminations are made. First, a decision is made as to
1 4. Each telephone handset 1 2 provides an input capa- which application is required to respond to the inquiry.
bility whereby a user may provide data to interface proc- Second, a review of the session table in RAM 24 occurs
essor 1 O and receive voice responses therefrom. Each 55 to determine which virtual sessions are available and
host processor 1 4 includes one or more applications third, an available virtual session (with the required ap-
which, for instance, may cover brokerage, insurance, plication) is assigned to the inquiry.
banking, and other database functions. At this point, an initial screen from the connected
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5 EP O 529 91 5 B1 6
virtual session application (that is stored in RAM 24) is responding to screen information from a connected host
accessed, and the user's data is entered intothe screen. and passing the information on to the user. Thus, each
The screen with the user's data is transmitted by host l/ executor submodule 35 executes a script, interacts with
O control unit 26 to the particular host processor han- a hostvirtual terminal session, and provides an interface
dling the application. The host processor then returns a 5 function.
new screen with the requested data, which screen is An Executor submodule 35 is designed to execute
stored in RAM 24. The data is then accessed and pro- multiple scripts which are user-programmable. Further,
vided via voice processing unit 1 6 to the user through a one executor submodule 35 can interact directly with a
voice response mechanism. From the above, it can be plurality of active host sessions/screens or applications
seen that a plurality of applications are in a ''primed'' 1O simultaneously. A script is a set of commands that de-
state, awaiting an inquiry from interface processor 1 O. scribes the actions to be taken by an executor 35. One
A received user inquiry is mapped to an available appli- simple script tells an executor 35 to read a data field in
cation that is available. In addition, a user, in a single a received screen and return the data to VPU control
telephone call, may make a number of separate inquir- module 3O. Another script may instruct an executor to
ies. ln response, interface processor 1 O accesses a plu- 15 look at several screens and transfer data from one
rality of primed virtual terminal sessions with host proc- screen to another. Another script operation is to extract
essors that contain applications required to respond to a whole screen from one host session and transfer it
the user's inquiries. Thus, multiple responses can be directly into the screen of another host session. This ap-
provided, eliminating the need for the user to make re- proach has many applications in transaction-oriented
peat phone calls. ln addition, the use of screen interfac- 2O environments. ln summary, executor submodule 35 has
es enables interface processor 1 O to communicate with the ability to execute user-defined scripts; can interact
different types of host processors that have differing op- with multiple host screens; and can serve as a bridge or
erating system software. Such a communication meth- a switch between two or more host sessions.
od, when used in combination with the primed applica- When executive control module 32 is informed by a
tions, provides extremelyfast response times to user in- 25 channel process submodule 31 that an inquiry has been
quires. received, it assigns an executor submodule 35 to the
Turning nowto Fig. 2, major software modules (and channel process submodule 31 . The channel process
their interrelationships) are shown that operate interface submodule 31 then provides to the executor submodule
processor 1 O. Voice processing unit (VPU) control mod- 35 user input data that is required to begin the inquiry/
ule 3O is the software whose responsibility it is to interact 3O response function. The assigned executor module 35
with the user/caller and to assure overall operation of then causes a session control table 36 (via executive
the invention. It comprises a plurality of channel process control module 34 to be examined), to determine which
submodules 31 , one for each incoming telephone line. session amongstthe pool of all sessions is available and
A channel process submodule 31 plays a message to also has connected to it a correct application. Executive
the user that instructs the user to insert, via the tele- 35 control module 32 then assigns an available virtual ses-
phone's keypad, input data to allow the inquiry to be sion to the executor submodule 35 which, in turn, con-
identified and the required data to be determined. In ad- tacts virtual terminal session module 38 to gain control
dition, a channel process submodule receives answers of the virtual terminal session.
and converts them to a voice response to be played Once control of the session is transferred, the ex-
back over the telephone line to the user. VPU control 4O ecutorsubmodule 35 accesses an initial screen from the
module 3O thus controls the telephony aspect of the sys- application (that is already stored in screen memoy 4O)
tem, i.e. assigning channel processes to incoming tele- and inserts the user's data thereinto. The executor sub-
phone calls and assuring that the various software mod- module 35 then causes the screen data to be transmit-
ules interact properly to provide a response for the user. ted, overthe controlled virtual session, to the connected
Executive control module 32 manages session control 45 host for processing. After processing, the host returns
table 36 and all the script executors 34. Executive con- a new screen that includes the data required to respond
trol module 32 assures that refresh procedures are per- to the user's inquiry.
formed during each virtual terminal session to maintain Once the required data has been located, it is trans-
the applications in the connected hosts in their primed ferred to the assigned channel process submodule 31
states and fu_her controls the use of session control ta- 5O in VPU control module 3O where it is converted toavoice
ble 36. response and played back to the user.
A script executor module 34 includes a plurality of Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, a more detailed de-
executor submodules 35. A submodule 35 is assigned scription of the operation of the system shown in Figs.
to a channel process submodule 31 when the channel 1 and 2 will be provided. Initially, interface processor 1 O
process submodule becomes active. Each executor 55 is subjected to a preparation/training operation wherein
submodule 35 performs the functions that would nor- a number of inputs are provided to enable system ini-
mally be performed by an operator sitting in front of a tialization. For instance, as shown in Box 5O, the types
terminal display, i.e., inserting data into a screen and of host applications, connection types, memoy capac-
4
7 EP O 529 91 5 B1 8
ities, numbers of input telephone lines, etc. are input as application is primed, extremely rapid responses to user
initialization constants. Then, for each application (Box inquiries are provided.
54), log-in and log-out sequences are defined, the When all usertransactions are finished, the channel
number of virtual terminal sessions are specified so as process submodule 31 sends a termination indication to
to respond to anticipated user calls; and a refresh pro- 5 the assigned executor submodule 35 which then de-
cedure is established. taches from the session(s) and informs executive con-
The refresh procedure provides interface processor trol module 32 of its termination of function. At this point,
1 O with the capability to maintain a virtual terminal ses- executive control module 32 regains control of the ses-
sion in operation and the associated application in a sion(s) just released and updates session control table
primed state. Without refresh, most applications will au- 1O 36 to indicate that the sessions are available.
tomatically terminate a session if no activity has oc-
curred within a predetermined time. To prevent such a
session termination, the refresh procedure maintains a Claims
time count and will, prior to time-out, generate a screen
to the application which will reset its time-out and enable 15 _ . A voice processing method for operating an inter-
a continuance of the virtual session. face processor to provide access to applications
At the termination of the preparation/training inter- running on a plurality of host processors, each said
val, all of the inputted configuration data is saved in the host processor communicating with said interface
database (Box 54) and the system is then prepared for processor by providing screens to said interface
operation. At initiation time (Box 56), executive control 2O processor, comprising the steps of_.
module 32 causes virtual terminal sessions module 38
to commence log-in procedures for all sessions defined (a) establishing at least one virtual terminal
in the database. Session control table 36 is updated with session with each said host processor and ini-
the current status of all sessions. At this point, the sys- tializing said applications running on said host
tem is prepared for user inquiries. 25 processor to ready them for further commands_,
Until a user inquiry is received (Box 58), controller
32 performs the refresh procedure to maintain the virtual (b) responding to a user request that requires
sessions in effect and connected application in then a process to be performed by an application, by
primed states. In addition, all free virtual sessions are accessing a virtual terminal session with a host
allocated for use by script executor module 34. As 3O processor on which said application is running,
shown in Box 6O VPU control module 3O then receives entering user data in a stored screen from said
a user inquiry, assigns it to a channel process submod- application and transmitting said data to said
ule 31 , which in turn, requests executive control module host processor, whereby said host processor
32 to assign a virtual session or sessions for communi- immediately processes said data; and
cating with hosts containing the required application(s) 35
(Box 62). (c) receiving a screen from said host processor
Executive control module 32 then allocates an ex- containing data for said user, and transmitting
ecutor submodule 35 to communicate with channel said data to said user, whereby said interface
processor submodule 31 (Box 64). The assigned exec- processor enables a plurality of host proces-
utor submodule 35 obtains assignment of a virtual ses- 4O sors to rapidly respond to user-supplied data
sion and proceeds to communicate with the connected without requiring modification of host proces-
host processor/application by sending keystrokes to the sor-controlling software.
host processor. The application in the host immediately
responds to the entered data and provides a response 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein step (b)
screen. Upon receiving the screen back from the host 45 includes the fu_her steps of_. creating a table of host
processor, executor submodule 35 reads the data from application/virtual terminal sessions; updating said
the screen by finding the requisite field and extracting table to indicate available host application/virtual
the data. It then returns that data to channel process terminal sessions; and choosing from said table, an
submodule 31 in VPU control module 3O, where it is available host application/virtual terminal session in
played out by voice to the user (Box 66). 5O response to said user data, whereby said user data
It is to be understood that if the user provides a plu- may be directed to an available host application vir-
rality of inputs that require plural applications, an as- tual terminal session that is not already busy.
signed executor submodule 34 is allocated a plurality of
virtual sessions, each session interacting with a host 3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, respon-
containing the required application. As a result, a single 55 sive to the provision by said user in step (b) of a
telephone inquiry can result in a plurality of applications plurality of input data that require a plurality of ap-
providing information back to the user, thereby negating plications, including the further steps of_. accessing
the need for multiple calls. Furthermore, since each host a plurality of virtual terminal sessions, one for each
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9 EP O 529 91 5 B1 1 O
said user-supplied input data, and wherein step (c) 1 O. A processor as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said ex-
extracts data from screens returned by said each ecutor means responds to a user input requiring a
application and provides said data to the user in re- plurality of applications, by assigning to said user
sponse to said user data inputs. input a plurality of virtual terminal sessions with ap-
5 plications required to respond to said multiple in-
4. A method as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said input quiries.
data is received by telephone in the form of multiple
data inputs in a single call, said multiple data inputs 1 1 . A processor as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said ex-
requiring multiple applications for response. ecutor means executes a stored script and transfers
1O data received in a screen from a host processor
5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim includ- over one virtual terminal session, into a screen for
ing the further step of_. providing a refresh input to transmission to a host processor over another vir-
each said virtual terminal session and connected tual terminal session.
host processor, whereby a said application on said
processor is maintained in an initialized state. 15 Patentansprü_he
6. A voice processing interface processor for process-
ing user telephone inquiries by accessing applica- 1 . Sprachverarbeitungsverfahren zum Betreiben ei-
tions running on a plurality of connected host proc- nes Schnittstellenprozessors, um Zugriff auf An-
essors, each host processor communicating with 2O wendungen vorzusehen, die auf einer Vielzahl von
said interface processor through provided screens, Hauptprozessoren laufen, wobei jeder genannte
said interface processor comprising_. channel proc- Hauptprozessor mit dem genannten Schnittstellen-
ess means for interacting with said user, receiving prozessor kommuniziert durch Liefern von Bild-
a said user input, and providing a voice response schirmen an den genannten Schnittstellenprozes-
to said user_, virtual terminal means for establishing 25 sor, umfassend die Schritte des_.
a plurality of virtual terminal sessions, at least one
session with each said host processor, initializing (a) Bereitstellens zumindest einer virtuellen
an application on each said host processor, and Datenstationssitzung mit jedem genannten
storing an initial screen from each said application; Hauptprozessor und Initialisierens der genann-
and executor means responsive to a user input from 3O ten Anwendungen, die auf dem genannten
a said channel process means, to operate over an Hauptprozessor laufen, um sie für weitere Be-
available virtual terminal session and communicate fehle betriebsbereit zu machen,
with an initialized application and to provide screen
data that includes user data, to a said application, (b) Anwortens auf eine Anforderung des Benut-
and for receiving a screen with user data from said 35 zers, die anfordert, daß ein Prozeß durch eine
application in response and to provide said user da- Anwendung durchgeführt wird durch Zugreifen
ta to said channel process means, whereby said auf eine virtuelle Datenstantionssitzung mit ei-
channel process means responds to said user with nem Hauptprozessor, auf dem die genannte
said user data. Anwendung läuft, Eingeben von Benutzerda-
4O ten in einen gespeicherten Bildschirm von der
7. A processor as claimed in Claim 6 further compris- genannten Anwendung und übertragen der ge-
ing_. table means including a listing of host applica- nannten Daten zu dem genannten Hauptpro-
tion/virtual terminal sessions; and control means for zessor, wodurch der genannte Hauptprozessor
examining said table means and assigning an avail- unmitelbar die genannten Daten verarbeitet,
able virtual terminal session in response to a user 45 und
inquiry. (c) Empfangens eines Bildschirms von dem ge-
8. A processor as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said con- nannten Hauptprozessor, der Daten für den ge-
trol means provides periodic inputs to said virtual nannten Benutzer enthält, und übertragens der
terminal sessions to maintain said applications on 5O genannten Daten zu dem genannten Benutzer,
said host processors in their initialized state in the wodurch der genannte Schnittstellenprozessor
event any said application is not accessed by a user eine Vielzahl von Hautprozessoren aktiviert,
inquiry within a predetermined time period. um schnell auf vom Benutzer gelieferte Daten
zu antworten, ohne eine Modifikation der den
9. A processor as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said 55 Hauptprozessor steuernden Software zu erfor-
channel process means includes voice response dern.
capability that orally responds to user initiated tele-
phone inquiries. 2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 , bei dem der Schritt (b)
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1 1 EP O 529 91 5 B1 1 2
die weiteren Schritte einschließt des_. Erstellens ei- nannten Hauptprozessor und das Speichern eines
ner Tabelle der virtuellen Datenstationssitzungen Anfangsbildschirmes jeder der genannten Anwen-
der Hauptanwendung, Aktualisierens der genann- dungen und Ausführungsmittel entsprechend einer
ten Tabelle, um verfügbare virtuelle Datenstations- Benutzereingabe von einem genannten Kanalver-
sitzungen der Hauptanwendung anzuzeigen, und 5 arbeitungsmittel, um über eine verfügbare virtuelle
des Wählens einer verfügbaren virtuellen Datensta- Datenstationssitzung zu arbeiten und mit einer in-
tionssitzung der Hauptanwendung aus der genann- itialisierten Anwendung zu kommunizieren und
ten Tabelle als Antwort auf die genannten Ben utzer- Bildschirmdaten , die Benutzerdaten einschließen,
daten, wodurch die genannten Benutzerdaten einer an eine genannte Anwendung zu liefern, und zum
verfügbaren virtuellen Datenstationssitzung der 1O Empfangen eines Bildschirmes mit Benutzerdaten
Hauptanwendung zugeführt werden, die nicht be- von der genannten Anwendung als Antwort und um
reits belegt ist. die genannten Benutzerdaten an die genannten
Kanalprozeßmittel zu liefern, wodurch die genann-
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2 als ten Kanalprozeßmittel dem genannten Benutzer mit
Antwort auf das Liefern durch den genannten Be- 15 den genannten Ben utzerdaten antworden.
nutzer einer Vielzahl von E ingangsdaten im Schritt
(b), die eine Vielzahl von Anwendungen anfordern, 7. Prozessor nach Anspruch 6, weiter umfassend_. Ta-
einschließlich der weiteren Schritte des_. Zugreifens bellenmittel, die eine Auflistung von virtuellen Da-
auf eine Vielzahl virtueller Datenstationssitzungen, tenstationssitzungen der Hauptanwendung ein-
eine für alle genannten, vom Benutzer gelieferten 2O schließen, und Steuermittel zum Prüfen der ge-
Eingangsdaten, und worin Schritt (c) Daten von den nannten Tabellenmittel und zum Zuordnen einer
Bildschirmen extrahiert, die durch jede genannte verfügbaren virtuellen Datenstationssitzung als
Anwendung zu rückgeschickt werden, und die ge- Antwort auf eine Benutzeranfrage.
nannten Daten dem Ben utzer liefert als Antwort auf
die genannten Eingaben der Benutzerdaten. 25 8. Prozessor nach Anspruch _, bei dem die genannten
Steuermittel periodische Eingaben an die genann-
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, bei dem die genannten ten virtuellen Datenstationssitzungen liefert, um die
Eingangsdaten über Telefon in der Form mehrfa- genannten Anwendungen auf den genannten
cher Dateneingaben bei einem einzigen Anruf emp- Hauptprozessoren in ihrem initialisierten Zustand
fangen werden, wobei die genannten mehrfachen 3O für den Fall aufrechtzuerhalten, daß auf irgendeine
Dateneingaben mehrfache Anwendungen als Ant- genannte Anwendung durch eine Benutzeranfrage
wort erfordern. innerhalb eines vorgegebenen Zeitraumes nicht zu-
gegriffen wird.
5. Verfahren nach irgendeinem vorhergehenden An-
spruch, das den weiteren Schritt einschließt des_. 35 9. Prozessor nach Anspruch 8, bei dem die genannten
Vorsehens einer Auffrischungseingabe für jede ge- Kanalverarbeitungsmittel die Möglichkeit der
nannte virtuelle Datenstationssitzung und den an- Sprachantwort einschließen, die mündlich den vom
geschlossenen Hauptprozessor, wodurch eine ge- Benutzer initiierten Telefonanfragen antwortet.
nannte Anwendung auf dem genannten Prozessor
in einem in itialisierten Zustand aufrechterhalten 4O 1 O. Prozessor nach Anspruch 9, bei dem die genannten
wird. Ausführungsmittel auf eine Benutzereingabe, die
eine Vielzahl von Anwendungen anfordert, anrwor-
6. Sprachverarbeitungs-Schnittstellenprozessor zu r tet durch Zuordnen einer Vielzahl von virtuellen Da-
Verarbeitung von Telefonanfragen der Benutzer tenstationssitzungen mit Anwendungen zu der ge-
durch Zugreifen auf Anwendungen, die auf einer 45 nannten Benutzereingabe, die erforderlich sind, um
Vielzahl von angeschlossenen Hauptrechnern lau- auf die genannten vielfachen Anfragen zu antwor-
fen, wobei jeder Hauptprozessor mit dem genann- ten.
ten Schn ittstellenprozessor über bereitgestellte
Bildschirme kommuniziert und der genannte 1 1 . Prozessor nach Anspruch 8, bei dem die genannten
Schnittstellenprozessor umfaßt_. Kanalverarbei- 5O Ausführungsmittel eine gespeiche_e Schrift aus-
tungsmittel für die l nteraktionen mit dem dem ge- führen und Daten, die von einem Bildschirm von ei-
nannten Benutzer, das Empfangen einer genann- nem Hauptprozessor über eine virtuelle Datensta-
ten Eingabe des Benutzers und das Liefern einer tionssitzung empfangen wurden, zu einem Bild-
Sprachantwort an den genannten Benutzer, Mittel schirm einesm Hauptprozessors über eine andere
der virtuellen Datenstation zum Erstellen einer Viel- 55 virtuelle Datenstationssitzung überträgt.
zahl virtueller Datenstationssitzungen, zumindest
eine Sitzung mit jedem genannten Hauptprozessor,
das l nitialisieren einer Anwendung auf jedem ge- 7
1 3 EP O 529 91 5 B1 1 4
Revendi_ations minal virtuel, une pour chaque dite donnée d'entrée
fournie par l'utilisateur, et dans lequel l'étape (c) ef-
1 . Un procédé de traitement de voix destiné à faire fectue l'extraction des données à partir d'écrans
fonctionner un processeur d'interface pour donner ayant été retournés par chaque dite application et
accès à des applications fonctionnant sur une plu- 5 fournit lesdites données à l'utilisateur en réponse
ralité de processeurs hôtes, chaque dit processeur auxdites entrées de données utilisateur.
hôte communiquant avec ledit processeur d'interfa-
ce en fournissant des écrans audit processeur d'in- 4. Procédé selon la revendication 3, dans lequel les-
terface, comprenant les étapes consistant à _. dites données d'entrée sont reçues par téléphone
1O sous la forme d'entrée à données multiples lors d'un
(a) établir au moins une session à terminal vir- appel simple, lesdites entrées à données multiples
tuel avec chaque dit processeur hôte et lancer demandant une réponse de la part d'applications
Iesdites applications fonctionnant sur ledit pro- multiples.
cesseur hôte pour les rendre prêtes à recevoir
d'autres instructions_, 15 5. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendica-
tions précédentes, comprenant l'étape supplémen-
(b) répondre à une requête utilisateur deman- taire consistant à _. fournir une information de rafraî-
dant l'exécution d'un processus par une appli- chissement à chaque type session à terminal virtuel
cation, en établissant l'accès d'une session à et à chaque dit processeur hôte connecté, de ma-
terminal virtuel à un processeur hôte sur lequel 2O nière que ladite application fonctionnant sur ledit
Iadite application est en cours de fonctionne- processeur soit maintenue à un état initialisé.
ment, introduite des données utilisateur dans
un écran stocké à partir de ladite application et 6. Processeur d'interface de traitement de voix, pour
transmettre lesdites données audit processeur le traitement de demandes téléphoniques faites par
hôte, de manière que ledit processeur hôte trai- 25 un utilisateur, par accès à des applications fonction-
te immédiatement lesdites données; et nant sur une pluralité de processeurs hôtes connec-
tés, chaque processeur hôte communiquant avec
(c) recevoir dudit processeur hôte un écran, ledit processeur d'interface par des écrans fournis,
contenant des données pour ledit utilisateur, et ledit processeur d'interface comprenant _. des
transmettre lesdites données audit utilisateur, 3O moyens de traitement de canal destinés à interagir
de manière que ledit processeur d'interface avec ledit utilisateur, la réception d'une dite entrée
permette à une pluralité de processeurs hôtes utilisateur, et la fourniture d'une réponse vocale
de répondre rapidement à des données four- audit utilisateur; des moyens à terminal virtuel des-
nies par l'utilisateur, sans demander de modifi- tinés à établir une pluralité de sessions à terminal
cations du logiciel de commande du proces- 35 virtuel, au moins une session avec chaque dit pro-
seur hôte. cesseur hôte, l'initialisation d'une application sur
chaque dit processeur hôte et le stockage d'un
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1 , dans lequel l'éta- écran initial à partir de chaque dite application; et
pe (b) comprend les étapes supplémentaires con- des moyens d'exécution, réagissant à une entrée
sistant à _. 4O utilisateur à partir dudit moyen de traitement de ca-
nal, pour fonctionner sur une session à terminal vir-
créer une table des applications hôtes/ses- tuel disponible et communiquer avec une applica-
sions à terminal virtuel; mettre à jour ladite table tion initialisée et pour fournir des données d'écran,
pour indiquer l'application hôte/les sessions à comprenant des données utilisateur, à ladite appli-
terminal virtuel disponibles_, et choisir à partir 45 cation et pour recevoir un écran compo_ant des
de ladite table une application hôte/session à données utilisateur, depuis ladite application, en ré-
terminal virtuel disponible en réponse auxdites ponse, et pour fournir lesdites données utilisateur
données utilisateur, de manière que lesdites auxdits moyens de traitement de canal, de manière
données utilisateur puissent être dirigées sur que lesdits moyens de traitement de canal répon-
une session à terminal virtuel d'application hôte 5O dent audit utilisateur par lesdites données utilisa-
disponible qui ne soit pas déjà en activité. teur.
3. Un procédé selon la revendication 1 ou la revendi- 7. Un processeur selon la revendication 6 comprenant
cation 2, réagissant à la fourniture par ledit utilisa- en outre _.
teur, à l'étape (b), d'une pluralité de données d'en- 55
trée qui demandent une pluralité d'applications, des moyens de table comprenant une énumé-
comprenant les étapes supplémentaires consistant ration en liste des applications hôtes/sessions
à _. établir l'accès à une pluralité de sessions à ter- à terminal virtuel; et des moyens de commande
8
1 5 EP O 529 91 5 B1 1 6
destinés à examiner lesdits moyens de table et
à affecter une session à terminal virtuel dispo-
nible en réponse à une demande utilisateur.
8. Un processeur selon la revendication 7, dans lequel 5
Iesdits moyens de commande fournissent des en-
trées périodiques à destination desdites sessions à
terminal virtuel pour maintenir lesdites applications
sur lesdits processeurs hôtes à leur état initialisé,
dans l'éventualité où ladite application éventuelle 1O
n'est pas l'objet d'un accès par une demande utili-
sateur dans les limites d'une période de temps pré-
déterminée.
9. Un processeur selon la revendication 8, dans lequel 15
Iesdits moyens de traitement de canal comprennent
une possibilité de réponse vocale, répondant ora-
Iement à des demandes téléphoniques initiées par
l'utilisateur. 2O
1 O. Un processeur selon la revendication 9, dans lequel
Iesdits moyens exécuteurs répondent à une entrée
utilisateur demandant une pluralité d'applications,
en affectant à ladite entrée utilisateur une pluralité
de sessions à terminal vi_uel avec des applications 25
auxquelles il est demandé de répondre auxdites de-
mandes multiples.
1 1 . Un processeur selon la revendication 8, dans lequel
Iesdits moyens exécuteurs exécutent un script mé- 3O
morisé et transfèrent des données ayant été reçues
dans un écran à partir d'un processeur hôte, en pas-
sant sur une session à terminal virtuel, pour les pla-
cer dans un écran destiné à la transmission à un
processeur hôte, sur une autre session à terminal 35
virtuel. 4O
45
5O
55
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